What is the largest amount of fat that I can have safely removed through lipo?

Question

I currently weigh 205. I know that lipo is not a weight loss solution per se. I would like to do a bbl, assuming all fat harvested cannot be used to reshape, how much fat can be safely removed and not reinjected?

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. While you can liposuction several areas at once there is a limit to how much fat can be removed safely. Risks from liposuction increase significantly when over 5 liters of fat are suctioned out. We usually stay below this limit for patient safety. We’ve found that we’re able to achieve dramatic improvements for our patients with 2 to 4 liters of liposuction, depending on their needs. That said, you definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  A key quality indicator is Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

It is strongly recommended not to exceed 5 liters liposuction aspirate in a single setting.  Having a BMI > 30 will increase your risk for related complications.

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

The generally accepted safe limits of liposuction volume is 5 liters (although recent studies suggest this hard limit may actually vary with BMI) in an office setting. This number may vary somewhat from state to state or region to region (4 liters in Florida). 
These recommendations, however, are not arbitrary. They are ultimately based upon studies of post operative liposuction patients and the subsequent fluid shifts that occur after large volume procedures. For this reason, overnight monitoring in a hospital is recommended when these limits are exceeded. It is also important to remember that this is not a pure fat aspirate i.e. 11 lbs. or 5 liters is not the equivalent of 11 lbs of pure fat. Additionally, some fat can be expected to be lost during processing.
Whether fat is re-injected or not is irrelevant. The issue is more a function of fluid shifts more than actual fat removal.
As always, it is best to discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Hello labella.flor,
It’s a pleasure to answer your questions! In total, surgeons may safely remove up to 4-5 liters of fat during VASER liposuction while carefully sculpturing the patient’s body to ensure optimal aesthetics. When the lipoaspirate surpasses the 5 Liters, patients are admitted overnight in the hospital (except in states such as Florida and New York, where the maximum liposuction aspirate that can be taken out are respectively 4 and 5 Liters). After the purification process, only 500cc to 1500cc of that fat will be injected into each buttock. The volume of fat that can be safely injected into the hips and buttocks varies from patient to patient, and it will depend on the patient's anatomy and cosmetic goals. It would also depend on the amount of fat that can be harvested. Your plastic surgeon would need to evaluate you in person to assess your candidacy for Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and decide how much fat volume can be safely grafted to achieve optimal aesthetic results. Best regards! Dr. De La Cruz

Andrew Jimerson, MD · Answer

ANSWER: Based on standard of care, a maximum of 5000 milliliters of fat can be liposuctioned at one time. This number is patient specific and can vary based on weight and medical/surgical history. As always, It is important that you discuss your concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon.Thank you,Andrew Jimerson II, MD

Donn M. Hickman, MD · Answer

In the properly prepared and evaluated patient with a body mass index at or under 35, one can consider safe removal of less than 5 liters of fat for an outpatient procedure. This parameter can vary from one state to another and from one ambulatory center accreditation body to another. Surgical judgment can change this value to a range of 2-5 liters for outpatient considerations. Staging the liposuction is often done for large volumes being removed under local anesthesia. While large volumes of 5-8 liters can be safely removed under the right circumstances, it is usually the younger healthier patient, one not considered obese or having an BMI over 30-35, is monitored by way of inhalation general anesthesia, has plans for retention overnight, does not combined major procedures included with the liposuction, and the patient is managed for lower extremity venous blood flow to avoid clots. A thorough preoperative exam, and battery of blood tests us usually required for liposuction with general anesthesia in one major session. Again, local anesthesia can permit staging of fat removal. It is however, best to reduce the general risk by losing weight and getting the BMI under 30 if possible, and have the procedure done by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in a properly credentialed ambulatory surgery or office center, when larger volumes of fat are considered to removal in one session. With all this said, the risks of high volume liposuction do increase when the volumes exceed 5 liters in one session. 5 to 8 liters equals  11 to 18 pounds of fat as a rule. Weight loss prior to liposuction should be tried in order to reduce anesthesia risk class, whether you be treated with local, sedation, or general anesthesia.  Your BMI is clearly over 35. Discuss this with your attending surgeon.

Ken Dolynchuk, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. The recommendation is never to exceed 2 liters of aspirate in an outpatient procedure. If more is anticipated admission to a hospital overnight is required. I have seen 11 liters safely removed in the later case. It isn’t safer if you reinject the fat somewhere else. Hope this helps.

Andrew Gear, MD · Answer

Most states limit volume removal following suction to 5 L, and that includes both the injected fluid and fat. It’s always more optimal to get your BMI to an appropriate range and then consider suction. Weight loss may also change what procedure you end up needing most

What is the largest amount of fat that I can have safely removed through lipo?

Answers (8)

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